We stayed in London for four nights for the second wedding celebration. This was our 3rd Airbnb property this year. It was a basement apartment in a Georgian House in Walworth about a 30 minute bus ride into central London. The apartment was very cosy and very well appointed. The fridge was well stocked and there was even a free bottle wine – that didn’t last too long! After being shown around by Dixie we didn’t see her again, but she did email us to check that all was well. The bus stop for many buses was only 3 minutes walk away so we spent our spare time out and about in London.
Christmas window displays
Hamley’s bear, elf and a little girl
We thought the Carnaby Street Christmas decorations to be the best of the ones we saw.
We visited the Freemasons’ Hall and had hoped for a guided tour, but they weren’t doing
them that day so we had a look around the museum which was very interesting.
After the Freemasons’ Hall we went to the British Museum. I had printed out a leaflet of
‘What to see in 3 hours’. The list had 24 items on it, but we only managed 12, but well worth it
The British Museum – The Great Court
The Rosetta Stone Assyrian Lion Hunt Relief
The double-headed serpent is an Aztec sculpture. Composed of mostly turquoise pieces applied to a wood base. It came from Aztec Mexico and might have been worn or displayed in religious ceremonies.It is possible that this sculpture may be one of the gifts given by the Aztec emperor, Moctezuma II, to Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés when he invaded in 1519. The mosaic measures about 43x20 cms and is made of pieces of turquoise, crab shell and conch shell.
Sue wanted to visit St. Pancras station to see the sculpture ‘The Meeting Place’
Below the station façade – don’t worry it is straight , but the panorama photo shot has bent it.
St. Pancras Station entrance The Meeting Place – 9 metre tall bronze statue
In 2008 a high-relief frieze was added to the base of the Meeting Place sculpture as part of refurbishments at St Pancras, featuring images from the history of the Tube and train: people queuing on platforms or travelling in carriages; soldiers departing for war and returning injured, and repair works following the 7 July 2005 London bombings.
St. Pancras Disney toy Christmas tree
The larger than life-size statue of Betjeman depicts him walking into the new station for the first time. He is looking up at the great arc of the train shed - which he always did because it took his breath away. He is leaning back and holding onto his hat, his coat tails billowing out behind him, caught by the wind from a passing train. He is carrying a Billingsgate fish basket containing books. Sue’s the one in the purple coat!
This is the last blog for 2015.
I hope you have enjoyed them.
The blog for next year can be found at
thebuchans2016.blogspot.co.uk
